January 19, 2000
Book helps parents
of preschoolers
___BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (BP) --Only a few decades ago, tough issues children faced might include being sent to the school principal for chewing gum in the classroom or for not having completed a homework assignment. Many middle-aged adults cannot remember having friends in elementary or junior high school whose parents were divorced.
___Now, however, children face the threat of violence in their schools, not to mention the pervasiveness of drug and alcohol use and an astonishing variety of family problems. Many studies estimate that 60 percent of all children now will live with a single parent before they reach adulthood.
___In this context, New Hope Publishers, a division of Woman's Missionary Union, has released a new book titled "Tackling Tough Issues." Edited by Rhonda Reeves, the book provides advice for parents and other adults who deal with preschool children.
___Nine experts, including Fred Rogers of "Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood" and Grace Ketterman, a renowned physician and child psychiatrist, have written from their fields of expertise.
___The main task of the early years of life is development of trust, said Joye Smith, author of the chapter on the spiritual development of preschoolers.
___Smith, preschool/children's consultant for Woman's Missionary Union, said this trust, which should be instilled by parents and other caregivers, is essential to the child's future spiritual development. Since younger preschoolers have limited vocabularies and understanding, their most important concepts grow from the love and security provided by adults who care for them, she said.
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